The palaces, köşks and kasırs built as residences and country homes for the Ottoman sultans are a part of İstanbul’s historic fabric. Not only did the sultans llive at the palaces, but they were also the centre of government for the Ottoman Empire. These buildings known as the National Palaces are those which were still in use at the dissolution of the Ottoman monarchy, and reflect the late period when westernisation was astrong influence on culture, art and palace life.

Four months after the proclamation of the Republic, on 3 March 1924, Act 431 was passed abolishing the caliphate, and nationalising the royal palaces, all other property owned by the dynasty and their contents. On 17 January 1925 a cabinet decree placed the management of Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi palaces under a body to be known as the Directorate of National Palaces. That same year the building at Yıldız Palace known as the Şale, and the waterfront pavilions of Aynalıkavak and Küçüksu were placed under the auspices of this office, followed by Atatürk Mansions at Yalova spa in 1930, Ihlamur Pavilions in 1966, and the Maslak Royal Lodges in 1981. Under the General Secretariat Organisation Act No. 2919 this office was renamed the Department of National Palaces with a correspondingly independent status. Atatürk Marine Mansion at Florya was attached to the department in 1988, and the Yıldız Porcelain Factory and Hereke Silk and Carpet Mill in 1994.

Today all these palaces, mansions, pavilions and former imperial manufactories are open to the public with the status of museum-palaces and museum-factories. Their grounds are carefully kept up to provide a pleasant setting for the enjoyment of both Turkish and overseas visitors, and for diverse cultural and promotional activities in historical surroundings. Meanwhile inventories are drawn up of the furnishings and fittings of all these buildings, and architects and art historians prepare reports on their architectural and decorative features in preparation for restoration and conservation work by experts at various workshops established under the auspices of the department. This work and studies of  diverse aspects of the national palaces are published in academic journals, books and other publications by the National Palaces Culture and Information Centre for the benefit of Turkish and foreign researchers and visitors to these former imperial residences and institutions.

AYNALIKAVAK PAVILION
BEYLERBEYI PALACE
DOLMABAHÇE PALACE
FILIZI MANSION
FLORYA ATATÜRK MARINE MANSION
HEREKE SILK FABRIC AND CARPET FACTORY
IHLAMUR PAVILIONS
KUCUKSU PAVILION
THE MASLAK ROYAL LODGES
YALOVA ATATÜRK MANSIONS
YILDIZ PORCELAIN FACTORY
YILDIZ PALACE